Speaking to the Newbury Weekly News, Mr Stretton said: “I am disappointed by the discrepancy and that it has taken so long for it to be announced.

“I made the returning officer and others aware within five minutes of the result being declared.

“It is not about whether I won or whether the Conservatives got elected, it is about the electorate of Thatcham North getting the right result.”

Mr Dillon said: “It is unfortunate that there was a mistake in the counting, but it is impossible to draw any conclusions as to where these votes would have gone or if the result would have changed.

“I was a district ward member before and have been a Thatcham town councillor for eight years.

“I don’t think anyone was surprised when I was elected, it was only afterwards an issue came to light.

“The result was not challenged when it was declared to agents.

“All I can do is concentrate on representing the voters of Thatcham North. I have already got stuck in and have taken on role as opposition spokesman for finance.

“The offer to review the whole process by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Commission should be welcomed.”

During a meeting on Tuesday, the council’s returning officer Nick Carter said: “Subsequent to May 8, a particular issue has emerged.

“It became clear that there has been a discrepancy with the Thatcham North result with more votes declared than cast.

“It was not picked up through the control process prior to declaring the result.

“Since the result has been declared, no challenge to the outcome has been made. There is nothing more I can do and cannot comment on whether this has affected the result. I can only say it has occurred.”